Board approves $130,222 change order for CSO 39 sewer separation, raising contract to $5.41 million

The Board of Public Works approved Change Order No. 4 for the CSO 39 sewer separation contract on May 6, increasing the contract by $130,222 and bringing the contract total to $5,408,847.66.

Jason Simnick, project manager, described multiple components included in the change order. The largest items were installation of an underdrain (described alternately as a trench drain or French drain) on the north side of High Street after crews discovered grade and flow constraints, and extended water service runs to properties at 219 and 220 S. Fourth Street that were tied into High Street because no water main exists on Fourth. “We ended up having to put an extra long services, to get back to them,” Simnick said, and staff designed the work so a future Lexington water‑main replacement would allow those services to be tied in more directly.

Simnick also cited longer service runs to an apartment at 511 W. High and to a church at 418 W. Franklin (about 115 feet to reach the building center), and portions of retaining wall replacement where sidewalk adjustments to meet ADA grades left wall bases exposed. Board members asked whether the trench drain would require special maintenance; Simnick said it is tied into the storm system at a catch basin and is expected to be maintained in the same manner as other storm drains.

Board members discussed project budgeting. Staff said they had built roughly a 10% buffer into the project purchase order to reduce the need for additional appropriations and that final quantity adjustments will likely lower the overall change magnitude.

The board approved the change order by voice vote. Simnick and other staff noted that the water‑service work counts toward the city’s lead‑service replacement work required under EPA programs and that additional monitoring and final accounting will follow.